Macbeth's Ambition

Throughout the course of history, mankind has relied greatly on ambition in order to evolve, overcome adversity, and achieve remarkable feats. Ambition gives provides one with purpose, and a goal to desire and strive towards. However, while it may be a positive trait, this very ambition, when left unchecked, tends to lead one astray, causing tragic chaos to ensue. Many forms of literature give birth to characters that are manipulated by their very own ambition, and eventually forced to face their own demise. William Shakespeare, being one of many scholars to write literature based on unbound ambition, makes use of the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in order to explore such a concept. In his play, Macbeth, William Shakespeare demonstrates

While ambition itself may be such a source, it often requires guidance in a certain direction in order to be effective. In this play, Lady Macbeth acts as a guide to Macbeth’s ambition; leaving a trail of footsteps for him to follow. She is the root cause of Macbeth’s ambition, and is the catalyst that leads to the avalanche-like downfall of both herself and Macbeth. Although one might argue that the witches who revealed prophetic messages to Macbeth were the reason he acted as he did, it is clear that Lady Macbeth actually is the one who led him to commit murder. When made aware of what awaits Macbeth’s future, she immediately devises a plan for him to follow to achieve that future instantly. She believes that Macbeth is “too full of human kindness,” and that she must “pour [her ideas] in [his ear]” (Macbeth I.V.14-25). In her eyes, Macbeth’s ambition was too weak for him to be able to accomplish goals, and that he required her aid. This also provides the reader with a perspective of Lady Macbeth’s quick-witted decisiveness. When Macbeth decides that he will not act on such intuitions, Lady Macbeth questions his manliness. By doing so, Shakespeare further establishes Lady Macbeth’s character. She asserts her dominance over Macbeth, and essentially informs the audience of her ruthlessness. She confesses that she would bash in her own child’s head if she promised to do so. At this point, it is clear that Lady Macbeth acts mercilessly in order to achieve what she desires. She understand that, in order to achieve greatness, sacrifices must be made and is prepared to do so. She instructs Macbeth to act as if he were an “innocent flower,” while actually being “the serpent underneath.” Lady Macbeth herself takes part in making things seem unlike they really are. While she may seem cold-blooded, she reveals a soft side to herself when she says that she would have killed King